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Ryu defeats Henderson in play-off to win back-to-back majors in Evian / Photo: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE - AFP
Ryu defeats Henderson in play-off to win back-to-back majors in Evian
South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran defeated Canadian Brooke Henderson with a birdie on the first play-off hole to win her second women's major this season at the Evian Championship on Sunday.
Overnight leader Ryu, the winner of the Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine on June 29, had taken a three-shot lead into the final round in France.
A day after hitting nine birdies and an eagle to set the scoring record for women's majors with an 11-under 60, Ryu dropped to a level-par 71 in the final round with one bogey before a birdie on the 18th hole.
Henderson, who began the day seven strokes adrift, carded a 64 in the final round, with three birdies, two eagles and a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole at Evian Resort Golf Club.
The Canadian made an eagle on the 72nd hole, her sixth this week for the most in any tournament in LPGA history, to force a play-off.
Both players finished on 19-under 265.
Henderson and Ryu went back to the 18th tee to begin the play-off, but after Ryu found the green in two and Henderson was unable to chip in for birdie, it was the 25-year-old Korean who claimed her second major win in just 13 days.
"It feels like unreal right now. It was so tough today because my putt always missed the cup," Ryu said.
"Just made the one birdie on the last hole. This gave me confidence for the play-off. I'm a lucky girl.
"Before these three weeks I didn't have a major championship —- now two in a row. I am so happy, I can't believe it," she added after claiming the winner's $1.4 million prize.
Japan's Akie Iwai had been second overnight but missed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to join the play-off.
A tearful Iwai fell short of winning her first major title as she dropped to third, her best finish in a major.
"I played awesome today, which is really exciting," said 2022 Evian winner Henderson.
"Obviously very exciting to get into the play-off," the 28-year-old Canadian said.
"Wish I had played a little bit better, but Hae-ran has been playing great. Congrats to her."
Ryu joins world number one Nelly Korda as the only other major champion this season.
American Korda, who missed the cut at Evian, won both the Chevron Championship and the US Women's Open earlier in the season.
The year's final major — the Women's British Open — is at Royal Lytham and St. Annes starting July 30.
O.Poirier--SMC
